Mary Elliott Flanery Kentucky's first female politician Date of Birth: 27.04.1867 Country: USA

1. Biography of Mary Elliott Flanery
2. Education and Early Career
3. First Female Politician in Kentucky
4. Continued Political Involvement and Activism
5. Legacy

Biography of Mary Elliott Flanery

Mary Elliott Flanery was born in 1867 in Carter County, Kentucky, later renamed Elliot County in her honor. Her parents were Benjamin Franklin Elliott and Nancy (Kegley) Elliott.

Education and Early Career

After completing school, Mary became a student at Barboursville College, which is now known as the University of Charleston in West Virginia. She later attended the University of Kentucky, where she obtained a degree in education. Mary then began her career as a teacher.

In 1893, she married Frank Flanery and added his surname to her own. Together, they had five children. Mary and her family settled in Pikeville, where she transitioned into journalism and became a reporter for the Ashland Daily Independent from 1904 to 1926.

First Female Politician in Kentucky

During her time as a journalist, Mary's interest in politics grew. In 1921, she made history as the first woman elected to the Kentucky General Assembly, representing the Democratic Party. Mary easily won the election, taking advantage of the newly granted right to vote for women after the passage of the 19th Amendment in 1920. Her popularity in Ashland was a contributing factor to her victory.

As a legislator, Mary continued to fight for women's rights and played an active role in passing laws regarding marriage, divorce, and the protection of motherhood and childhood.

Continued Political Involvement and Activism

Although Mary was defeated in her 1923 bid for Secretary of State, she remained politically active. She served as a delegate to the national convention of the Democratic Party in 1924. Additionally, she was a member of the Kentucky Equal Right Association, the General Federation of Women's Clubs of Kentucky, and the Daughters of the Revolution. In 1926, Mary was one of the founders of the United Daughters of the Confederacy.

Throughout her political career, Mary also maintained her journalism work and wrote a weekly political column titled "Impressions of Kentucky's Legislature" for a newspaper in Ashland. She lived with her family in Catlettsburg, near the industrial center of Ashland, along the Ohio River.

Legacy

Mary Elliott Flanery passed away on July 19, 1933, at her home in Catlettsburg. In honor of her contributions, a memorial bronze plaque was placed in the legislative chamber where she always sat as the first female politician in Kentucky. Interestingly, one of Mary's five children, her only son, also became a politician.